Kitchen cabinet



N. R. MOORE KITCHEN CABINET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 14, 1930.

'Filed oct. 19, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 N. R. MOORE KITCHEN CABINET Filed Oct. 19, 1927 Oct. 14, 1930.

Oct. 14, 1930.

Filed Oct. 19, 1927 N. R. MOORE 1,778,163

KITCHEN vCABINET 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 14, 1930.

N. R. MOORE KITCHEN CABINET Filed oct. 19, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invent o1.

l Patented Oct. 14, 1930 `UNITED slaxias NINIAN Bl MOORE, F DU BOIS, PENNSYLVANIA KITCHEN 'CABINET Application mea october 19, 1927. serial no. 227,225.

The invention relates to furniture of the convertible type and has special reference to kitchen cabinetsl The principal object of the invention, generally stated, is to provide a kitchen cabinet so constructed and arranged that it may be converted into what is popularly known as a Pullman breakfast set embodying a table with benches at opposite sides thereof, the advantage being that the single article of furniture will be capable of employment for different purposes and will consequently be highly convenient where space is limited as for example in modern apartments.

A more specific object of the inventionis to provide a cabinet inwhich the usually merel slidable top or table member is movable lnto a position at right angles to its normal one to project outwardly from the cabinet to a sufficient extent to serve as a table, normally concealed and folded bench members being also mounted in and forming a part of the cabinet and capable of being operatively positioned at opposite sides of the table portion or member.

Still another object is to provide an article of furniture of this type in which the table member and bench members are provided with hinged legs which will drop gravitationally into operative position when the table members and bench members are simply pulled out with respect to the, cabinet.

Another ydetailed object is to provide a 'cabinet equipped with specially constructed guide means for the top whereby it may have simply its usual sliding movement into projected position or the combined sliding and pivotal movement necessary to bring -it into its table forming position.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a cabinet containing an ironing board which is normally concealed from view but which is readily capable of being pulled out and positioned for service.

Still another object of he invention is to provide a cabinet and ironing board structure, the latter being equipped, in one form of the invention, with adjustable brace means and being selectively disposable at different heights depending upon the stature of the user.

An additional object is to provide a structure of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, neat and attractive in appearance, easy to adjust or convert, positivein action, efficient and durable 1n service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and 12') other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction-and the arrangement and combinatlon of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in 65 the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cabinet showing it converted into or adjusted to form a Pullman breakfast set,

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view 70 through the lower section of the cabinet showing the table forming member in its normal or retracted position,

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2 with the table form- `75 ing member in its normal or retracted position,

Figure 4 is a similar section taken on the line 4*-4 of Figure l and Showing the table forming member in its extended position,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the bracket and guide means for the table forming member,

Figure 6 is a side elevation thereof with the track member in section,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the com- 35 plete cabinet with the table forming member in its`normal or retracted position and with the ironing board extended for use,

Figure 8 is a plan view thereof with the board leg and brace folded and with the table 9 forming member removed entirely,

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the lower section of the cabinet showing a'modiied ironing board structure, the latter being shown in its highest position engaging upon the top of the table forming member,

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 with the ironing board shifted into itsI lower position, and j Figure 11 is a detail cross section through "l the leg taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 10 and illustrating the adjustability of the brace.

Referring more particularly to the drawings it will be observed that I have shown a kitchen cabinet which is in many respects of conventional pattern in so far as genera-l design is concerned. This cabinet is represented as includin a lower or base section 1 upon which is suitably mounted the upper section 2, the construction being such as toy provide a space 3 between them. Both of these sections may be provided with the usual or ,any preferred arrangement of bins, drawers or compartments, the invention not being concerned with these details though a few of the drawers are indicated at 4. The exact details as to the framing and cabinet work are also thought to be immaterial and are consequently not gone into.

Mounted upon the top wall 5 of the lower section 1 is a table forming member 6 which is preferably formed as a frame 7 carrying a metal sheathing 8 which may be enameled or otherwise finished to have an attractive andwaterproof surface. The ordinary type of kitchen cabinet is provided with such a member which is slidable so as to be extended somewhat beyond the front of the cabinet 'to serve as or to support a bread board, a kneading board or the like or other utensils or artic es.

The mounting of this member 6 is a very important feature of the present invention inasmuch as itis contemplated that it be capable of its usual sliding movement and,'in addition, capable of being partially rotated and caused to project to a considerable extent beyond the front of the cabinet in a position at right angles to its normal one so as to serve as a table. In carrying out this feature of the invention the underside of the member 6 is shown as provided with an angularly shaped bar or track memlzcr 9 which includes two arm portions .10.and- 11 con nected by an inclined and curved portion 12.

vThis track member cooperates with guide means here shown as comprising a stationary plate 13 secured upon the top wall 5 of the lower section and having pivoted thereon, as by a bolt 14, a bracket structure 15 carrying suitably journaled rollers 16 grooved at17 to receive the side edges of the track member 9. It is possibly not essential that the bracket 15 be pivoted but it is preferable inasmuch as it may move more freely to accommodate itself .to the different positions of the member 6 without danger `of binding. To facilitate the shifting of the member 6 from oneposition to the other and to revent undue scarring of the top wall 5, the latter preferably has its end portions 18 reduced in thickness so l as to lie at a lower level than the central portion 19 on which the guide means is located.

For supporting the member 6 when inits' ,extended position, I provide suitable legs 2O hinged at 21 within the frame 7 and eqlui ped with braces 22 which are capable of oc ing toprevent accidental folding of the le s. The leg structure is of such size as to Iie within the confines of the frame 7 when the member 6 is in its normal or retracted position substantially coextensive withv the top of the lower section. I

In order to vprovide seating accommodations for persons desiring to use the table, I provide benches including seat portions 23 formed as slides movably and guidably mounted as between cleats 24 located within the lower section toward the end portionsl thereof.v These seat members 23 or slides may be of an preferred construction but are pro-` vided wlth legs 25 hinged at 26 and equipped with braces 27, these legs being capable of .disposition in vertical position as shown in Figure 1 to form benches and also capable of being folded to lie within the undersides of the seat members, as clearly indicated in n Figure 2, when the seat members are in retracted or concealed position. j

It will be seen\that' lunder ordinary circumstances, that is to say when the device is to be used simply as'a kitchen cabinet, the

legs 25 lie within and beneath the seat mem! bers 23 while the latter are in their retracted and practically concealed position as shown in Figures 2 and 7. The member 6 then oc cupies the position shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7 and is practically coextensive with the top of the bottom section 1. At such a time the arm portion 10 of the track member 9 is engaged between the rollers 16 and it is clear that the member 6 may be slid forwardly and backwardly, as the case may be, as is the movement provided for this member in ordinary kitchen cabinets.

`When the device is to be converted into a Pullman breakfast set, the table member 6 l ispulled straight out or forwardly until the curved `portion thereof engages the rollers 16, subsequently to which it is partially rotated while pulled additionally forward so as to extend it to the maximum degree, the inclined portion 12 and arm portion 11 of the track member travelling between the rollers 16 as this movement occurs. After the movements are completed \the member 6 will project from the front of the cabinet and at right angles to its formerposition as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4. When the member 6 reaches this position gravity will permit the legs 21 to swing down into engagement with the ioor to form a support for the free or outer end. The seat members 23 are, then grasped and pulled out whereupon the legs 25 thereof will drop gravitationally into en- The device may then be used table upon which meals may be Served. To

thereof and will consequently not suffer in appearance.

The other feature of the invention is the provision ofv an ironing board which is normally concealed from view but which may be extended for use when desired. In carrying this out I provide the lower section 1 with a compartment 28 preferably immediately beneath the top wall member 5 and normally vclosed by a hinged cover or panel 29. The ironing board 30 may be pivoted within either end of the compartment 28 as by means of a screw or other pivot element 31 passingthrough a hole 32'in either end of the top wall member 5 and through a hole 33 in either rear corner of the ironing board. Ref# erence to Figure 8 will make this detail readily apparent. The rear or inner end of the board is preferably thickened as at 34 by means of a filler block or the like so as to fill the space between the top and bottom of the compartment 28 while leaving` space beneath the board, when the latter is in'retracted and concealed position. for the accommodation of a leg 35 which is hinged at 36 on the underside of the board, and also for the accommodationof a sectional brace structure 37. There is no particular novelty claimed for this brace structure though it is here represented as including arm members 38vpivoted on the underside of the board and pivotally connected at 39 with other arm members 40 pivoted at 41 on the leg, the arm members 38 being connected by a transverse element 42 which limits relative pivotal movement of the arms 38 and 40 in one direction for preventing accidentalbreaking ofthe brace. The top side of the leg is represented as recessed at 43 for the accommoda tion of the transverse element 42 when the leg and brace are in folded position and lying against the underside of the board.

When the ironing board is not in use it is contained entirely within the compartment 28 and the cover or panel 29 is in closed position. When use of the 'board is desired, the panel 29 is lifted and the board swung out of the compartment 28 until it extends at a position at right angles tothe front of the cabinet whereupon the leg is swung down and the brace opened up into its operative position. The reverse operation is followed when use of the board is no longer desired.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11 I have illustrated a slight modification of the ironing board structure. In this form the bottom section of the cabinet has the same or an equivalent compartment for the reception of the ironing board when not in use, but the board is of sectional formation instead of solid aspreviousl described inasmuch as it includes a. blockike member 44 pivoted at 45 in the same manner described in connection with the first form and having connected therewith by a double hinge 46 the ironing board proper shown at 47. The block member 44 is formed to provide a supporting shoulder 48 upon which the board may be engaged as shown in Figure 10 under certain circumstances to be described. The board is provided at its underside with a brace 49 pivoted thereto at 50 and pivoted at 51 upon a slide 52 here represented as having inturned anges 53 sliding within grooves 54 in the opposite longitudinal edges of a leg 55 which is hinged at 56 upon the underside of the board. It is intended that the brace be adjustable fora reason to be pointed out and it is for this reason that the slide 52 is provided. For holding this slide at a selected point, I may .employ a catch device such, for instance, as a leaf s ring 57 secured'at one end on the slide an carrying a projection 58 adapted to be received within a selected one of a pair of sockets 59 and 60 in the leg.

In this form of the invention the board is contained within the compartment in the same manner as above described when not in use. vHowever, when the board is swung out of the compartment it may be arranged at a comparatively low level as shown in Figure 10 or in a higher plane as shown in Figure 9, depending upon the stature of the user. In Figure 10 the board 47 is shown as having its hinged end engaged upon the shoulder 48 with the brace 49 in such position that the latch on the slide is engaged within the socket 59. Under such circumstances the double hinge 46 has all of its leaves in alinement. Figure 9 shows the hinged end of the board engaged upon the top of the bottom section of the cabinet, the various leaves of the double hinge being then in angular relation. To maintain this osition the brace and slide must be adjusted) along the legl 55 so that the latch on the slide will engage within the socket 60. The change from the positions shown in Figures 9 and 10 may be quickly and easily effected as will of course be apparent.

In both forms of the'invention it will be noted that the ironing board is shown as associated vwith and mounted upon or within a kitchen cabinet but it should be understood that this is not essential as it is easily capable of combination with a table or a shelf, there being no limitations in this respect.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be a parent that I have thus provided a simp y constructed and inexpensive device for the purpose specified which will be a eat convenience to apartment dwellers an othersliving in cramped quarters where all available space must be utilized. It is believed that the construction and operation will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further ex lanation.

While have shown and described preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exempliiication of the principles involved as the right is reserved'to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I

claim: A

l. In a kitchen cabinet including lower and upper sections having a space between the same, a member, means slidably and pivotally mounting said member within said space whereby said member may be disposed selectively to lie in a position substantially coextensive therewith,'in an extended position parallel with its normal position to serve as a shelf, or to'project beyondthe front of the cabinet in a position at right angles thereto to form a table.

2. In a kitchen cabinet including lower and upper sections having avspace between -the same, a member, means slidably4 and pivotally mounting,r said memberwithin said space upon the lower section whereby said memberv is disposable selectively to lie'in a position substantially coextensive therewith, in an extended position parallel with its normal position to serve as a shelf, or to project beyond the front of the cabinet in a position at right angles thereto to form a table, and lsupporting legs hinged upon the underside of said member at one'end thereof and movable to lie therebeneath when said member is in the iirst mentioned position or to extend vertically downwardly when said member is in the last mentioned position.

3. In a kitchen cabinet including lower and upper sections having a space between the same, a member, means slidably and pivotally mountingysaid member within said space upon the lower section whereby said member vis disposable selectively to lie in a position substantially coextensive therewith, in an extended position parallel with its normal position to serve as a shelf, or to project beyond the front of the cabinet in a position at 'right angles thereto to form a table, and supporting legs hinged uponf the underside of said -member at one end thereof and movable to lie .a member located within upon theI lower section, said member normally occupying a position substantially coextensive therewith, said member being slidable forwardly intov an extended position parallel with its normal position, and being successively rotatable and slidable to project beyond the front of the cabinet in a position at right angles thereto to form a table, and sup.- 1 porting legs hinged upon the underside of said member at one end thereof and movable 75 to lie therebeneath when said member is inthe first mentioned position. or to extend vertically'downwardly when said member is in the second mentioned position. Y 5. In a kitchen cabinet including lower and upper sections having a space between the same, a member mounted within said space upon the lower section andxnormally occupying a position substantially coextensive there- Y j with, means pivotally and slidably mounting said member, said member being slidable forwardly into an extended positiony parallel with its lnormal position, and beingl successively rotatable and slidable to project beyond the front of the cabinet in a position at right angles thereto to form a table.

6. Ina kitchen cabinet including. up er and lower sections having a spacethere etween, the lower section having a top wall, `a member located within the space, a track '95 on the underside of said member, anda guide bracket on the top of the lower .section engaging said track, said track and guide cooperating to permit forward and rearward sliding movement'of said member and sliding "100 and pivotal movement thereof whereby it may be extended beyond the front of the cabinet to serve as a table. I

7. In a kitchen cabinet including upper and lower sections 'having a space therebe- 105 tween, the lower section having a top wall, the space, a track on the underside of said member, a guide bracket on the top of the lower section engaging said track, said track and guide co- 110 operating to permit forward and rearward sliding movement of said member and sliding and pivotal movement thereof whereby it may -be extended beyond the front of the cabinet to serve as a table, said track member being of angular form, and said guide means" including a stationary support, a bracket pivoted thereon, and grooved rollers journaled on the bracket and receiving the track member between them. I12u In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

NINIAN R. MOORE. 

